MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

- Directs and manages the day-to-day operations of the legal services teams responsible for child welfare legal services, consulting with legal managers and administrative supervisors to ensure activities meet legislative requirements, professional standards and Agency policy criteria.
- Provides leadership, supervision, direction, consultation and professional guidance to legal managers, lawyers, legal support staff and administrative staff within assigned areas of responsibility.
- Hires, trains, evaluates, disciplines and terminates direct reports in consultation with Human Resources, and ensures staff are available to participate in required training and professional development.
- Provides professional guidance, interpretation and direction on complex child welfare legal issues to legal staff, service leaders and Agency staff as required.
- Ensures legal services are effectively integrated with Agency service principles, child welfare practice expectations and operational service delivery requirements.
- Provides legal consultation and advice to the Chief Operating Officer, Service Directors, service managers and staff regarding the interpretation and application of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, regulations, rules of evidence, Family Law Rules, court processes and related child welfare legislation.
- Participates in case consultations, service/legal planning and decision-making in complex, high-risk, precedent-setting or otherwise contentious child welfare matters.
- Responsible for operational planning, budgeting, resource allocation, analysis and projections for child welfare legal services within assigned budget and resource parameters.
- Ensures provincial and Agency policies, legislative requirements, court requirements and professional standards are adhered to by legal staff.
- Leads and participates in the development and review of Agency policies, procedures, practice standards and service tools related to mandated child welfare services, in collaboration with service leadership and policy/service administration functions.
- Assesses the impact and consequences of proposed legislation, regulations, directives, court decisions and sector developments affecting child welfare services, and recommends Agency policy, procedure and practice responses.
- Ensures legal training for child protection staff and service/practice training for legal staff are planned, developed, delivered and evaluated.
- Oversees the preparation for and presentation of complex hearings, including cases with high risk and/or significant legal implications, appeals, applications for judicial review, inquests, constitutional matters and other novel or highly contested proceedings.
- Represents the Agency as counsel on complex, high-profile or highly contentious child welfare matters as required.
- Ensures contentious, high-risk or highly publicized legal cases are identified, discussed with appropriate Agency leadership and managed through appropriate legal and service strategies.
- Retains and supervises outside counsel to supplement in-house child welfare legal services where required and monitors the quality and effectiveness of that work.
- Ensures all necessary records are maintained with regard to child welfare legal and court activities, and that documentation is prepared properly and on schedule.
- Responsible for gathering,



analyzing and reporting legal statistics and information required by the Ministry, Agency leadership or internal quality and accountability processes.
- Establishes and maintains effective communication links with members of the judiciary, government officials, the legal community, Indigenous and community partners, OACAS and other sector organizations to support the effective functioning of Agency child welfare legal services.
- Participates on or leads committees, working groups and task forces of the society and other groups or organizations, such as the OACAS, with or to which the society collaborates or belongs.
- Participates as a member of the Agency Service Management Team and Strategic Leadership Team, contributing to the development and implementation of Agency strategic priorities, service initiatives, operational planning, quality improvement and risk management activities.
- Collaborates with Service Directors and Agency leaders to support integrated service planning, consistent decision-making and alignment between legal strategy, child welfare practice and organizational objectives.
- Promotes and models the Agency's values and commitments to ethics, confidentiality, equity, anti-oppression, anti-racism, harassment and discrimination prevention, inclusion and respectful workplace practices.
- Creates and leads teams that reflect diversity, support differences and encourage different perspectives.
- Ensures Society’s Code of Ethics, Confidentiality, Anti-Oppression/ Anti-Racism, Harassment & Discrimination policies etc are incorporated into self and legal teams through leadership and role-modelling.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for organizational legal issues when the General Counsel is unavailable and coordinates an appropriate response, including addressing matters within the Director’s area of competence and/or referral to external counsel as required.
- Works in a safe manner in accordance with the Society's health and safety policies and procedures and all relevant legislation.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

- Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws degree from a university of recognized standing
- Licensed to practice law and member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
- Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law in the Child Welfare field.
- Significant experience providing legal advice and representation in complex child protection litigation, including high-risk proceedings, appeals, judicial reviews or other significant matters.
- Demonstrated management and leadership experience preferably within a child welfare environment or other complex public sector

Knowledge and Skills:

- A broad and expert knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and Regulations, related legislation affecting child welfare services and the rules of evidence and the Family Law Rules.
- Robust understanding of child welfare service delivery, court processes, child protection practice,



risk management and the integration of legal and service decision-making.
- Ability to represent the Agency and its interests in highly contentious, complex or high-profile proceedings.
- Demonstrated management and leadership skills, including financial management, supervision, coaching, project management, operational planning, change management and staff development.
- Superior critical analysis, judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Proven ability to lead within a complex organizational system and manage conflict and problems in a constructive and productive manner.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including effective and engaging presentation abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively with service staff, legal staff, senior leaders, external partners and a diverse community.
- Professional credibility, sound judgment and demonstrated commitment to ethical and accountable legal practice.
- Bilingual in French & English, preferred

OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation at CAST

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants need to make any accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance by contacting the Human Resources Department at (phone hidden) x2030.

Human

Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.

Equity Hiring Strategy and Application Process The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAS of Toronto) is committed to employing a workforce that is reflective of the population of Toronto as well as the diverse communities we serve. Our Equity Hiring Strategy is deemed to be a Special Program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

- All qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to apply to this job posting.

During the online application process, applicants will have the opportunity to complete the Employment Equity questionnaire, to indicate if they self-identify as being part of one or more of the above under-represented groups. Answering the questionnaire is voluntary and all responses will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes outlined in this program. If the questionnaire is not completed by an applicant, they will not be considered as being from an equity seeking group.

The information collected will help us identify qualified applicants from the listed under-represented groups as part of our Equity Hiring Strategy. In addition, information provided will be used to understand the diversity of candidates that apply to roles within CAS of Toronto. A summary of the responses to this questionnaire will be used to help assess application trends and inform the further development, accessibility and enrichment of our recruitment programs.

Qualified applicants who are interested in this opportunity can apply for position by submitting their application consisting of a cover letter and resume by clicking the Apply button below (at www.torontocas.ca/careers), by fax ((phone hidden)), or mail (30 Isabella Street, 5th Floor) to the attention of Human Resources.

Applications for this position must be received in the Human Resources Department, NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2026.

📌 Director of Legal Services (Toronto)
🏢 Children's Aid Society of Toronto
📍 Toronto